Memantine is a drug that belongs to the group of NMDA receptor antagonists As such, it is used to treat the manifestations of Alzheimer’s, both moderate and severe, although it is also used to treat different types of chronic pain.
Below we will see in more detail what memantine is and what it is for, as well as its indications and some of its main adverse effects.
Memantine is a drug used to treat memory loss. Is about a medicine especially used in Alzheimer’s symptoms The latter is a neurodegenerative disorder related to different alterations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are located in the cells of the posterior horn of the spinal cord and are responsible for regulating the transmission of electrical signals in the brain..
The activity of these receptors It is fundamental in cognitive processes such as memory and learning, as well as in neural plasticity and some pain states. For this reason, altered activity of these receptors, especially when due to the presence of high levels of toxicity, is related to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
What is this drug for?
Memantine serves precisely as an NMDA receptor antagonist This means that it blocks or stops oxidative stress associated with the increase in a molecule called “amyloid B peptide,” which is the mechanism associated with the loss of cognitive functions.
In other words, although memantine does not have the ability to definitively reverse neurodegenerative diseases, it does have neuroprotective functions and enhances different cognitive functions. This is because it protects brain connections from toxic calcium levels, which in turn allows signals to be transmitted regularly between neurons.
Furthermore, memantine is not only used in the manifestations of Alzheimer’s but also can relieve some neuropathic pain, psychosomatic pain and chronic pain some types of neuralgia and trauma, spinal cord injuries, among others.
Administration and recommended dosage
Memantine is administered orally. It is sold in tablet presentation whose intake can be accompanied by food, but not necessarily. The tablets are film-coated and contain 10 mg of active ingredient, which is memantine hydrochloride (equivalent to 8.31 mg of memantine).
Other chemical components found in this medicine are microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium and colloidal anhydrous silica Likewise, the film that covers the tablet is made of polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, macrogol 3350 and yellow iron oxide.
As with other medications, the general recommendation is to take it at the same time daily. Additionally, it is usually taken in a small initial dose, which is gradually increased over weeks.
The first week it is recommended to take half a 10 mg tablet. up to date. From the second week onwards, it is recommended to double the dose until reaching two 10 mg tablets. in the fourth week. This last dose is maintained throughout the treatment.
The above are general indications that may vary according to the specialist’s recommendation, given that It is always the medical staff who must indicate how to take this drug after a personalized consultation.
Contraindications
It is necessary to take precautions in case of a history of epileptic seizures and in case of having recently suffered a myocardial attack
Likewise in the case of having heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension, in kidney failure and in case of taking other drugs with NMDA receptor antagonist properties. The latter are those used for the treatment of Parkinson’s, such as amantadine; ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic, or dextromethorphan, used for coughs.
In the same sense, it is necessary to take precautions when faced with a radical change in diet, for example from carnivore to vegetarian, and it is important avoid taking during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Adverse effects
The adverse effects of memantine are usually divided according to whether they are frequent, infrequent or if they occur in very specific cases. Each of these divisions also corresponds to the level of severity of the effects.
1. Common effects
They usually occur in 1 to 10 people in 100, and include symptoms such as headaches, impaired liver function, constipation, imbalance, vertigo shortness of breath, hypertension and hypersensitivity to the medication.
2. Rare effects
They occur in 1 to 10 out of every 1000 people and are manifestations such as fatigue, hallucinations, vomiting, high probability of fungal infections and coagulation in the venous system (i.e. development of thrombosis), heart failure and gait disturbance.
3. Very rare effects
Less than 1 person in 10,000 may experience seizures. In addition, taking this medication during Alzheimer’s treatment has been related to inflammation of the pancreas, development of hepatitis, psychotic reactions, depression, and suicidal ideation and/or suicide.
However, the relationship between memantine and these latter adverse effects has not been sufficiently investigated, so information on its possible involvement is uncertain.
